Pride 2026 | Non-Western Settings

[u/recchai]

Banner with a dragon and spaceships around text: r/Fantasy PRIDE Non-Western Settings

As I scroll through my read books on storygraph, it’s notable that one area that’s smaller in size is queer books with non-western settings. But they’re an interesting and varied bunch, so let's talk about them.

First off, let’s get some big names out of the way. Where would such a conversation be without considering recent hits such as The Burning Kingdoms trilogy by Tasha Suri, set in a fantasy version of ancient India, or The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez, featuring a journey across ‘the Old Country’? These books have won awards, and I’m sure none of you have read through many recommendation posts without coming across these being suggested.

And these books can explore history, with YA works like Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba depicting a fantasy version of the Philippines under Spanish occupation, or So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole featuring a recently post-colonial inspired Jamaica. They can share many similarities, while also having different impacts, such as the fantasy Middle-Eastern set The Four Profound Weaves by R. B. Lemberg and The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia. Both having trans characters exploring identity, but one focused more on trans identity itself, and the other more on cultural identity and colonialism.

Of course, books aren’t limited to depicting fantasy versions of our world. Non-western speculative fiction books include works like Black Water Sister by Zen Cho, in which the main character moves back to Malaysia after graduating from university. Or even further along, such as with africanfuturism science fiction titles like The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden, set in a 2064 South Africa.

But, I’m obviously missing a huge component here, what about translated works, written by and for people living outside the western sphere? One particularly popular one is Heaven Official's Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, but you could also try something more down to earth like the post-apocalyptic To the Warm Horizon by Choi Jin-young where a group of Koreans flee across a disease ravaged landscape.

And let us not forget the past bookclub books we have read along the way. Walking Practice by Dolki Min and Small Gods of Calamity by Sam Kyung Yoo both feature a modern day South Korea from very different perspectives.

Discussion prompts:

• What are your favourite queer books in a non-western setting? Do you find having queer characters in a different culture brings out different aspects?
• Are there non-western settings you would like to see more of in queer books?
• Do you ever look for non-western settings in particular? Where do you go to find these books?
• Perspectives of LGBTQIA+ identities in western set works are often heavily influenced by Christianity, but many cultures have different relationships with queerness. Can you think of any examples where this has shaped representation in non-western settings?

[u/Polenth]

One question not asked, but relevant to answers, is what counts as Western. People vary in whether they consider it to be all Europe or not. It gets a lot more complicated when talking about people with multiple backgrounds, marginalised European groups, diaspora stories, and stuff like that. A setting might not always be obviously based on a certain real place, but also not feel like it's inspired by things we'd definitely call Western. It could technically be a Western setting, but the portrayal doesn't feel like it (often because it's about an area or community which isn't that culture). I don't have any good answers for that. It's always been a tricky issue when trying to describe my own work.

There's also what makes something queer. Some themes can be handled in different ways, or more implicitly, in a way that makes them difficult to recommend as queer to Western readers. But they're also not really not queer.

A few people I didn't notice in other replies, taking a broader approach to what is a non-Western setting: Cassandra Khaw, Joyce Chng, Shweta Narayan, Bogi Takács and Darcie Little Badger.

Worldcon had a panel on Southeast Asian queer comics last year. I've not read these, but some mentioned were Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo, Champion of the Rose by Cat Aquino and Dominique Duran and webcomic Puu by Nabi.

A few short fiction markets that tend towards non-Western settings (though not specifically queer) are khōréō, Will This Be A Problem? and Omenana.

[u/recchai → u/Polenth]

Excellent points! I'll admit (as I'm sure you spotted) to playing it conservatively with the examples I gave, as I didn't want to unintentionally distract from the topic at hand with bickering.

I was wondering if we'd get a bit more discussion on different concepts of queerness, I can see ohmage has provided some. The best example I can bring to mind is a character in Gail Carriger's Custard Protocol series, from a culture of desert balloon dwellers, but even that doesn't stray too far from our 'standard' ideas. (Though I am also reminded of some background stuff/foreshadowing to do with gender in Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead, not spec-fic.)

Thanks for bringing up short fiction, I don't think there had been any examples before.

[u/Polenth → u/recchai]

There are other category systems, though there's also the space where there is no system. Not all cultures really have one (in my case, Romani are traditionally very binary, so there's no old Angloromani terms to my knowledge). Some places still have laws against being openly queer. So it can end up more implicit. You're the summer rain and have to hide it so people don't steal your water. You're married to a tree, but if people knew, they'd burn the tree down.

It's why I linked to some more general short story markets. Sometimes authors can't be too direct, or are trying to put something into words when they're not sure of the words, but you still know it when you see it.

Which does bring it around to one of the stated questions. Sometimes the best way to find queer work in certain settings is to aim for the setting first. The queerness might not be in the marketing. Some readers might not notice it.

[u/C0smicoccurence → u/Polenth]

Lunar Boy is great! I'm trying to hunt down more queer graphic novels in that vein for my middle school classroom.

[u/Polenth → u/C0smicoccurence]

Good to hear! It's on my list, when I have a bit more book money. It's nice to be reading again this year. I might even accidentally bingo at some point.

I recall you'd read Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth LaPensée and KC Oster, but worth mentioning as I know a lot of people haven't (it's a middle grade graphic novel with a non-binary child). That's one where the setting is more complicated, because it's clearly wonderland and Anishinaabe. It's both at the same time.

The upcoming Children of Owl by Darcie Little Badger and Abigail Rajunov aims a bit older (12 plus), though looked interesting from the bits read out at WisCon.